Suspension clamp for electrical conductors



May 29, 1923.

, B. A. PLIMPTON SUSPENSION CLAMP FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS Filed Oct. 5, 1920 %.s ATTORNEY Patented May 29, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENTLEY A. ILIMPTON, OF LIMA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THE PORCE- LAIN INSULATOR CORPORATION, OF LIMA, NEW YORK, A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SUSPENSION CLAMP FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS.

Application filed October 5, 1920. Serial No. 414,878.

construction whereby a conductor can bev held with maximum rigidity, and any slippage of the conductor within the clamp is effectively prevented.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction which can be manufactured with facility and economy, the parts also lending themselves readily to the quick installation of the blank on a conductor An additional purpose of the invention is to provide an improved form of arcing memher, and to support the arcing member on the clamping device in a way that facilitates its attachment, also causing it to function a longer time than ordinarily, and effectually protecting the conductor at all times.

These and other advantages and improvements will appear from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the novel features being pointed out in the claim at the end of the specification.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken centrally, and

Figure 4 is a vertical section through one of the clamping devices.

The several features of the invention may be applied in various ways as part of a practical operating device, and the structure here shown is intended only by way of example, and not as limiting the invention to any precise arrangement.

The clamping device comprises a pair of clamping members A and B, the latter member B having a general U-shaped cross-sectional form and adapted to receive a wire conductor upon which the other clamping member A is superposed, the clamping members being curved transversely to conform to the adjacent surfaces of the conductor.

The clamping members A and B are held together by retainin means comprising a pair of devices, one 0% which is located preferably on each side of the longitudinal center of the clamping members. The retaining devices preferably consist of U-bolts C. the arms of which pass through openings provided in the lower clamping member B, and are held in place by nuts 0, while the base portions of the U-bolts rest in sockets 0, provided in the upper surface of the clamping member A.

ln order to hold the conductor rigidly against slippage, I provide the two clamping members referred to with oppositely arranged projections and depressions, illustrated by the projections a formed on the clamping member A, and the depressions 6 formed on the clamping member B. These projections and depressions a and b cooperaate with opposite sides of the conductor and are arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of? the clamping members, and in alinement with the aforementioned clamping devices. The result of this arrangement is that the clamping devices exert a direct pressure upon the conductor in line with the depressions and projections, forcing the conductor into the depressions with great pressure and affording an extremely rigid hold on the conductor which serves efiectually to prevent its loosening in the clamp. This is of im ortance when a conductor breaks on one si e of a clamp, all of the strain being consequently thrown upon the clamp from the opposite end, and exerted by the unbroken part of the conductcr. In such a case, it is highl desirable to hold the unbroken portion of t e conductor, and this can be accomplished with much greater success when the clamping or grip ping action is exerted in line with the depressions into which the conductor is forced, By arranging the depressions b on op osite sides of the longitudinal center of the camp ing members and in alinement with the retaining devices, the conductor has a slight tendency upwardly as it leaves the retaining devices, and this action causes the conductor to grip both end surfaces 6' of the clamping member B snugly, and considerably lessens the chance of the conductor becoming loose.

The lower clamping member B is provided with upstanding suspension portions D formed integral with and projecting upwardly from the opposite walls of the clamping member B, and adapted to be attached to a supporting insulator in the usual manner. The clamping device is provided with an arcing member which is attached inde pendently of the retaining devices that hold the clamping members together, and preferably to an extension on one of the clamping members projecting away from the con ductor. Thus, the arcing member is located in spaced relation to the clamping portions of the clamping member, and an air space is afforded between the central part of the arcing member and the conductor, so that if the arcing member burns away, its extremities will never be in close relationship to the conductor, or permit an arc to the conductor.

This is preferably accomplished by at taching the arcing member to one of the upstanding suspension portions B, the arcing member including a central ofiset portion E adapted to rest against the upstanding portion D and to receive an attaching bolt. In order to prevent the arcing member from turning or moving with reference to the clamping device, locking means are provided, consisting of a lug or lip e which projects into an opening d of the upstanding portion D, and rests a ainst the seat afiorded b the adjacent e ge of the portion D. The lug 6, together with the attaching bolt,

aaeee serves to retain the arcing member with complete rigidity.

The central portion E of the arcing member is offset whereby the main body of the arcing member and the ends thereof directly overlie the conductor, and in order to prevent the ends of the arcing member from burning away they are enlarged and preferably rounded, as indicated at F. By providing a large body of metal at the ends, greater resistance is oifered to the burning and melting action of a hot arc, such as is frequently experienced in high tension currents, and the life of the arcing member is tremendously increased.

The several features of the invention may be modified in various ways, and this application is intended to cover any other forms or departures Which come within the underlying principles appearing, and the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

In a clamping device for electric insulators, the combination with upper and lower transversely curved clamping members respectively provided with oppositely disposed projectino and recessed portions adapted to grip a cable between them and to crimp the same, one of said clamping members being provided with an exterior recessed seat in the transverse plane of the projecting and recessed portions, and a retaining device arranged in said seat to straddle the clamping members and having tightening means reactin against the other clamping member.

In witness whereof, I have herunto signed my name.

BENTLEY a. PLIMPTON. 

